JT hit fund-raising target a year early

Tuesday 14 January 2014

JT staff raised almost £30,000 to support Autism Jersey last year, taking them to within a fraction of their three-year £50,000 fund-raising target a full 12 months early.

Staff organised a golf day (raising £10,000) and a hamper raffle (raising £7,000) and donated an hour’s salary (raising £6,000) as well as a host of smaller events throughout the year. JT is also sponsoring the Kilimanjaro Challenge which will see 28 Islanders heading to Tanzania in February to tackle the world’s largest free-standing mountain in a six-day trek to conquer the 5,895-meter (19,336 ft) mountain.

The company selected autism charities in the islands to support young people and adults on the Autistic spectrum, including people with Asperger Syndrome. When they did so, they set an ambitious three-year target of raising £50,000 – but after just two years they have raised almost £49,000.

JT’s Corporate Affairs Director, Daragh McDermott, who also joined the Board of Trustees at Autism Jersey to act as a conduit between the Charity and JT, said: "The staff have really engaged with Autism Jersey over the last two years, but their work has not all been about raising money. In addition to the financial assistance, a number of JT staff volunteered their time to assist in setting up the new Centre at Brittania Place, both through providing financial guidance and more practical assistance in setting up new communication services, or simply helping to organise charity events for example.

"The motivation behind all of this is the knowledge that this work will make a real difference, and that has energised our staff here and in our offices in Guernsey, London, Oslo, Boston and Melbourne."